“Don’t give up,” I said to myself as I gasped for air. I used all my muscle and mental strength to push forward. I had no idea how far out this island of flowers and stones was.
I was exhausted. My body felt so weak that I had to stop to rest. To conserve energy I doggie paddled in place for a while. As I analyzed the situation, I realized something didn’t seem right.
The island couldn’t be this far out. With all my team training, I was a very strong swimmer. I was fast and could swim great lengths. I was one of the best swimmers in my school.
It was unlikely that Wren, Lyra, or Gia could make it even this far. There was no way they all could be better swimmers than me. Possibly one of them could have greater endurance in the water than I did, but the likelihood that all of them possessed superior skills, seemed most unlikely.
Maybe they lied about the island. But why would they do that? Then it occurred to me that I could have been swimming in the wrong direction. The island could be northeast or southeast. As far as I knew I had been swimming east. Possibly I had missed it in the dark.
I looked around and everything was almost completely black. Just tiny shimmers of light sparkled on the water from the moon and stars. I realized that in my anguish over Dylan, I had acted stupidly. What was I thinking? I was out in the middle of the ocean and I was all alone.
Any moment, a shark could attack me. It could just bite off my dangling legs and pull me under to my death. And sharks weren’t the only terrors of the ocean: stingrays, octopi, jelly fish, and numerous other horrors. I was crazy, absolutely crazy to swim out this far. And for what? Over a boy who didn’t even care about me.
I didn’t feel like I had the strength to swim back to shore. My body ached all over. Even just doggie paddling felt overwhelming. My teeth were chattering by now. I felt so cold. If only I could sleep for just a little while. My eyelids dropped and my head started to slip into the water.
I came up choking, spitting out salt water. If I died, my parents would be devastated. I was their only child. Mom tried to have other children, but she was never able to get pregnant a second time. They would be crushed without me. Who would take care of them in their old age?
I continued to paddle in place, if not for my sake then for my parent’s sake. My mind raced with terrible thoughts.
“Shut up,” I told myself. “I have to figure this out.” I tried to still my mind.
But I couldn’t come up with a solution to my predicament. I just didn’t have the strength to swim back and even if I did, it was most likely that I had drifted off course. Nobody swims in a straight line for miles and miles. Who knew what direction it was to shore?
I had to keep moving further out and hope I reached the island. It must be out here somewhere because Dylan was adamant about not wanting me to land it—his and Gia’s precious abode. He would not have protested so vehemently if it was not real.
Maybe Wren or Lyra would call the coastguard to come looking for me. I doubted if a search team would come at night. It was nearly impossible to see anything. If I could just keep afloat until morning, I might have a chance. But then I thought of how Dylan said he didn’t like me. At that recollection, the blood rushed out of my head and a part of me wanted to die regardless of how it affected anybody.
It was irrational, I told myself. I had only known him one night. Love takes years to develop. But that didn’t ring true to me. I did love him in some inexplicable way. It was like I knew Dylan deep within myself.
But those thoughts must have been just more insanity on my part. I was as crazy as the young lovers in Romeo and Juliet.
Only Dylan cared nothing for me. So why was I destroying myself over him? I was though… and I just could not help it.
Suddenly, I felt something brush past my leg.
Oh, no! What was that?
I feared it was a shark. My heart pounded in my chest. I didn’t know what to do. Was I going to be eaten alive?
And then I felt it brush past me again. Fear nearly consumed me.
I almost threw up in my mouth I was so scared. A lump in my throat grew hard and tight. Something was circling me. Should I swim away? Or would that cause the creature to chase after me?
I held my legs perfectly still and hunched my back over, sticking my face in the water. I opened my eyes, trying to take a look around. Everything was black. I couldn’t see a thing.
The creature bumped into me now harder. I was sure it was a shark. It had to be. The sheer weight was so big. And the skin felt smooth as it brushed past like it didn’t have scales.
I couldn’t hold still any longer. Even if it was suicide, I couldn’t just wait to be eaten. In tremendous panic, I started swimming as fast as I could. I was splashing and kicking like wild, using my full strength to move away.
Something grabbed onto me and pulled me across the water in super speed. Was the shark dragging me with its teeth? I didn’t feel pain. Maybe the shock was overriding any physical tortures. I heard people don’t feel anything when they are in shock. My mind was spinning.
Suddenly, the movement stopped. It felt like arms were wrapped around me. Was I in the clutches of an octopus?
“It’s okay, Hailey.” I heard those words. A feminine voice.
When I turned, I looked at Wren and then Lyra, and Gia in shock. They had saved me.
“Thank God we found you!” Wren held me in her arms. Unless I imagined it, her eyes twinkled blue in the moonlight. She smelled like flowers. How was that possible?
“We were terrified that you had drowned,” Lyra said as she squeezed my water parched fingers.
It all didn’t make any sense. It seemed ludicrous that I was saved from a near shark attack and drowning by three beautiful supermodels.
As tired as I was, I managed to laugh hoarsely. “How did you find me?” I choked the words out. My body was shuddering as I panted heavily. At that moment, my senses were in utter disarray.
“Calm down,” Gia said sharply. Her red hair burned in my mind. I hated her for being so alluring and lovely. I couldn’t blame Dylan for falling for her. Her tough demeanor intrigued.
In the water, they all seemed so bewitching with their confident, graceful movements. How the hell did they swim so far out and still project such elegance?
“Be gentle with her,” Lyra whispered to Wren.
Wren loosened her grip around my body and took my hand. Her blond hair fanned out in the water like a sun spray. “I’ll lead you to the island,” she whispered kindly to me. Her essence seemed so compassionate and maternal. “You swam way past it. It’s not that far from shore.”
I couldn’t believe what she just said. The realization made me feel senseless, but I was ever grateful that they had found me. The alternative was unthinkable.
With Lyra and Gia at our sides, Wren and I swam hand in hand under water, coming up for occasional breaths of air. Somehow in Wrens grasp, I felt rejuvenated. I had a newfound energy. Maybe I was still experiencing the adrenaline from shock. Or perhaps now that I wasn’t alone, my new optimism propelled me onward. Whatever it was, I was just going with it.
After a short while, we swam around a rocky shore to a gentle inlay that tapered off to sand. I was surprised how well they were able to navigate themselves through the ocean. I would have never found this island, but for them it seemed easy. They appeared to know just where to go.
Though it was dark, it was so much easier to see under the clear moonlight and stars than it had been with Dylan in the woods. Maybe my eyes had adjusted after being out for so long. Or maybe it was growing closer to morning.
Stepping onto the shore now, they led me past a sandy beach, through rows of palm trees and ferns, and finally to a breathtaking fields of flowers. My body was soaking wet, but I didn’t care. I loved the idea of being surrounded in beauty.
Wren leaned over gracefully and picked some tulips. “For you, my dear.” She handed the flowers to me.
Her language seemed old fashioned, but I appreciate
d the kind gesture. She really was a thoughtful person. From my experience, pretty girls were usually snobby and self-centered like the cheerleaders at my high school. But not Wren.
I gazed up at the white fluffy clouds that had moved overhead illuminated by the full moon beneath. It gave a spooky contrast to a shockingly beautiful setting. I was entirely mesmerized. No wonder they loved this place.
A light mist waded over the flowerbeds. Something about the island triggered a vague memory from the Odyssey. It hadn’t been so long since I read it, but as I had explained to Dylan, I had rushed through the stories way too quickly. If only I had paid closer attention.
I recalled young maidens that lived on flowery islands with craggy rock lined shores, but I couldn’t recollect the rest of their story. Who were these maidens? Somehow that seemed relevant. Dylan would probably know.
“Come dear child to the cave.” Lyra’s soft voice sounded like a lullaby as she took my hand.
The girls laughed at my surprised reaction.
“We want to show you our little hang out.” Gia put her hand on her hip as she jutted it out to the side. I didn’t know if there was actually something sinister about her or if it was just my jealousy against her that rubbed me the wrong way.
“Trust me,” Wren whispered. “You’ll love it.” Her manner was reassuring.
Lyra’s eyes sparkled in the moonlight. “It’s a cool place to relax.”
“Come on,” they all sang at once as they pulled me along. I admired the roses, daffodils, and daisies as we ran though. The scents were heavenly.
We came to a mountainous region beside a grove of sunflowers.
“Here’s the entrance.” Wren threw her wet hair over her shoulder as she led me inside.
It was pitch black. My body shivered in the darkness. One of the girls lit a lantern bringing a gentle glow to the hideout.
I marveled at the waterfall rushing down into a small waterbed at the back of the cave. It was a mysterious place.
“We like to swim around in freshwater sometimes,” Lyra said as she lied down on a blanket that was surrounded by unlit candles. “It’s so relaxing and good for the skin with all its rich minerals.”
Gia was leaning against the rock wall looking bored.
“The mud baths are there.” Wren pointed to the side of the waterbed. “They are a lot of fun too.”
“Especially during girl fights,” Gia retorted with a chuckle.
“Anyway…” Wren rolled her eyes, “We just wanted to show you and then get our instruments.
Lyra was already holding a harp, adjusting its strings. The mythological carvings in its wood gave an ancient quality to it.
Gia picked up a smaller instrument also with strings.
“What’s that?” I asked Wren.
“Gia has a lyre.” She winked. “You don’t see many these days.” Wren placed her hand on my back. “How would you like to learn to play the flute?”
“I always wished I could play any instrument. It’s gotta be the best feeling to express yourself musically. I would die for that.”
The girls looked pleased with my comments.
“Oh, it is the best feeling,”Lyra sang as she set the harp beside her. “Come to the cliffs and we’ll play.”
CHAPTER NINE
The ideal has many names, and beauty is but one of them. –Ninon De L’Enclos
Gia’s ocean blue eyes lit up. “Hell yeah. You’ll love it at the cliffs.” Her low voice sounded almost mocking, but I wasn’t sure. Sometimes I got the feeling she had a hidden agenda whatever that could be. It was probably more that she just didn’t like me.
“Okay,” I responded, shrugging my shoulders. I liked spending time with Wren and Lyra. And I had to admit, Gia fascinated me. Everything about the triplets seemed almost magical and I wanted to escape into their world. Maybe then I could forget about Dylan.
“Come dear child to the shore…” The girls sang suddenly. “We’ll show you a rapturous time. Come dear child, oh dear child of mine…”
I almost laughed at their strange song, but then I felt a little dizzy and off balance. My throat started to itch like I wanted to sing with them, but I restrained myself.
I found my legs almost involuntarily walking with the three song birds out of the cave and across the meadows. I had to jog a little to keep up with their long legged strides. Once past the flowerbeds, we crossed a stretch of sand and foliage. The land surface hardened and gave way to more and more rocks, stones, and black obsidian boulders.
“This way, Hailey,” Wren sang in a sweet lyrical voice as she squeezed my hand.
We stepped onto the black rocky crags. I almost lost my step, but to my surprise, Gia steadied me and helped me up to the cliff’s edge. I could hear the waves crashing against the walls below.
In the darkness, I felt slightly groggy as I looked down from the steep cliff that dropped to the ocean. A strong sea breeze blew across my damp bathing suit causing goose bumps to rise on my arms.
Wren, Lyra, and Gia were standing beside me now.
“See those lights in the distance?” Wren asked in a gentle voice.
“Yes,” I managed to respond. This was the first time I had spoken since we left the cave. I think I must have been tired from the strenuous swim.
“That’s a ship,” Gia said excitedly. Her red hair was nearly dry by now and blowing like fire in the wind.
Another streak of hatred rushed through me when I thought of her with Dylan. Even in my exhaustion, I still couldn’t get him out of my mind.
“Would you like to have everlasting beauty?” Lyra asked taking my attention away from Gia. I noticed the chain of diamonds fastened just above her hips. Her shiny black hair was also blowing beautifully in the wind. I liked her so much better than Gia.
I laughed at her question. My mind felt slightly clearer now. “That’s a bizarre inquiry.” I shrugged at the thought as I sat down at the edge of the cliff. A smile lifted on my face as I considered it.
“What if you could make any guy fall for you?” Gia asked in a cold tone as she glanced over at me.
I wasn’t sure if she was even interested in my response because she was fixated on the lights of the distant ship now. She was probably just messing with me because she sensed I liked Dylan.
“Yes,” Wren said placing her delicate hand on her heart. She sat down beside me, joining me at the edge of the cliff. “Would you like that?”
I imagined Dylan falling madly in love with me. That’s what I wanted more than anything. “I don’t need a whole bunch of boys swooning over me,” I mumbled back at them. “One guy…you know… one boyfriend would be fine.”
They looked at each other with scowls on their faces.
“How boring,” Gia retorted as she pushed a rock with the side of her bare foot off the cliff.
Lyra sat down on the other side of me. “What if you could be as hot as a supermodel?” she asked sort of giggling. “Would you like that?”
I chortled at that question and shrugged again. “I guess that would be pretty cool.” Something about their implorations made me uncomfortable. Maybe it was because they were so otherworldly and could probably get any guys they wanted. Were they just trying to make me feel bad for being average?
I think Wren sensed my discomfort. “Oh, you must be tired,” she said in her maternal voice. She pulled me closer to her perfect body and hugged me to the side with one arm. Her golden locks partially blanketed my shivering skin.
“How did you rescue me in the ocean?” I asked now that I was gaining better mental clarity. I had this eerie fear of falling off the cliff, but I kind of liked the thrill of looking over the edge of it.
Lyra moved closer to me. “After you ran into the waves, we tried to catch up to you.”
“We were swimming all around trying to find you,” Wren added.
“I was worried you had drowned.” Lyra shook her head in sadness at the memory. “It was a miracle we found you when we did.” Her spark
ling eyes were wide with wonder.
Her explanation made me feel a lot better. It didn’t seem natural how they discovered me. It’s difficult to see people in the ocean and especially at night. At least now I knew they recognized the improbability of it. I felt more at ease knowing that they were as shocked as me. “It really was a miracle. Wasn’t it?” I was smiling now.
“Hey why don’t you become blood sisters with us?” Wren asked heartily. Her expression looked playful, almost childlike in enthusiasm.
“What?” I nearly shrieked. The idea sounded juvenile. I remembered how as kids my best friend and I pricked our fingers and rubbed them together so that we could be joined in a blood bond. It was silly and fun at the time. But now that I was almost eighteen, it seemed ridiculous to engage in such a silly endeavor.
“When people experience a miracle like we did, it bonds them for life,” Wren explained. “I think we should make that tie official. Make a statement that we are sisters forever.”
“That’s a great idea,” Lyra agreed excitedly.
I liked the thought of having sisters. As an only child I always longed for siblings. I wasn’t so sure I wanted to be related to Gia, but I couldn’t very well exclude her from the ceremony. She was triplets with Wren and Lyra. They wouldn’t take kindly to me rejecting their own birth sister. And she did save me too, after all. “Let’s do it,” I answered. “I wanna be sisters with you guys.”
To my surprise, Gia looked happy with my decision, maybe even more than the others. She walked away from the edge of the cliff and sat behind us. “Turn around,” she commanded in her low, husky voice.
We turned and moved closer to her making a circle with our bodies.
“So how should we do this?” Wren asked wide eyed in a naïve tone. “I don’t know much about this sort of thing.”
I was surprised how clueless she sounded. It almost seemed like she was putting on a fake dumb blond act. I couldn’t help but wonder why. She was the one who came up with the idea.
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